Thirds to r



J. W. MARSHALL.

LADDER.

(No Model.)

Patented Nov. 3, 1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT O FICE.

JOHN XVESLEY MARSHALL, OF \VIIITESBO ROUGH, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF TVVO- THIRDS TO R. B. BOLTON AND WV. H. MARSHALL, BOTH OF SAME PLACE.

LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 462,497, dated November 3, 1891.

Application filed April 27, 1891. Serial No. 390,639. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN \VESLEY MAR- SHALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at VVhitesborough, in the county of Grayson and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ladders; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as Will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in ladders, and has special reference to a stepladder adapted to travel upon a track and be moved to any desired place by the person using the ladder.

One object of my invention is the provision of a ladder of this character which will be light in weight, in order that it may readily and easily run along .the track, and which will be strong and durable in construction.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a ladder which will occupy a small amount of space and which will enable the user to reach any point from the floor to the ceiling with ease and quickness.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a ladder which will run evenly and with little friction upon the track and which can be produced at a small price, and thus render the same practical for the desired pur: poses.

To attain the desired objects my invention consists of a traveling step-ladder embodying certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, substantially as herein illustrated, described,and specifically defined and distinguished by the claims.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a ladder constructed in accordance with and embodying my invention.

a front elevation thereof, and Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of the truck .or trolley which travels on the track. Fig. 4 represents a detail View of another form of track.

Referring by letter to the drawings, A designates the ladder proper, which is of suitable size and consists of the side rails, and

Fig. 2 represents the steps secured to said side rails in any preferred manner. At the lower end of the side rails I mount the shaft B, on which are journaled the wheels or rollers C, which rollers may be termed the supporting-rollers and run on the floor or surface. At the upper end of the side railsI mount the shaft D, on which is placed the carriage or trolley E, which travels on the track F, secured to the ceiling. The shaft may be encircled by sleeves D, which serve to hold the trolley or carriage in its proper place, and the trolley consists of the curved or segmental side bars E, having the shoulders E and the adjacent studs E on which are mounted the track wheels or rollers E and the segmental or curved side bars are securely braced by the transverse rods or bars E, which also serve as guides or guards for the track.

The track wheels travel on the lateral flanges of the track, as shown, and it will be seen that a wide bearing is thus provided for thesaid wheels, causing them to run freely and easily upon the track and with a firmness and steadiness which could not be assured on any other form of track.

The track may be made of wood or metal and of a single piece of metal, or of two pieces secured together, as may be found desirable and convenient.

It will thus be seen that I provide a light and convenient ladder, especially adapted for store service, by means of which a person can obtain access to shelves at all places from the floor to ceiling by merely moving the same along the track. It will also be seen' that the ladder runs with ease and steadiness and can be quickly moved on the track by a person placing his hands against the structure or ceiling and without fear of falling from the ladder. It will also be seen that the ladder occupies but little space, is strong and durable in construction, and can be produced at such a price as to place it within reach of all desiring a ladder of this character.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination of thetrack, the trolley consisting of the two curved or segmental sides having the inwardly-extending studs,

the track-wheels'mounted on said studs, and

the transverse connecting-bars, the ladder carryin g said trolley, and the supporting-wheels.

2. The combination of theladder, the shaft or bar mounted in the lower end thereof, carrying the supporting-wheels, the shaft or bar mounted in the upper end, the curved bars pivoted on the said bar or shaft and having the studs and shoulders, the track wheels mounted on said studs, and the track having the lateral flanges, on which said rollers ride.

The combination of a track, the trolley consisting of two bars having inwardly-extending studs, the track-wheels mounted on said studs and traveling on the'flanges of the track, and the supporting-wheels carried by 15 the ladder.

4. The combination of atrack, a trolley consisting of two bars having inwardly-disposed studs at or near the ends thereof, rollers on said studs traveling on the track, transverse bars connecting the trolley-bars and serving as a guide, and the ladder carrying the trolley.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' JOHN XVESLEY MARSHALL.

WVitnesses:

F. XV, BEAST, H. M. DUNLAP. 

